Double lens goggle and method of manufacture

ABSTRACT

A DOUBLE LENS GOGGLE, HAVING A FRAME FOR CONFORMING TO THE FACE OF THE USER, HAS A SEALED, DOUBLE LENS ASSEMBLY INCLUDING ONE LENS WITH A LATERAL, PHERIPHERAL FLANGE HAVING A CIRCUMFERENTIAL GROOVE INTO WHICH THE SECOND LENS IS MOUNTED, AND THE FLANGE PROVIDES MEANS FOR SECURING THE LENS ASSEMBLY TO THE FRAME. A VENT SYSTEM PROVIDES AN AIR FLOW IN THE AIR SPACE IN CONTACT WITH THE USER&#39;&#39;S EYES.

March 6, 197.3 R. P. SMITH 4 ,71 37 DOUBLE mus GOGGLE AND METHOD QF MANUFACTURE} Filed Dec. 19, 1969 I 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR ROBERT P. SMITH ATTORNEY March 6, 1973 5 H 3,718,937

DOUBLE LENS GOGGLE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE Filed Dec. 19, 1969 2 Sheets-Sheet I 56 72 56k FIG.?

X54 68X 5 I FIG.6 FIG. 8

INVENTOR ROBERT P. SMITH ATTORNEY United States Patent Office D 3,718,937 DOUBLE LENS GOGGLE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE Robert P. Smith, Evergreen, Colo., assignor to R. P. Smith Company, Evergreen, Colo. Filed Dec. 19, 1969, Ser. No. 875,767 Int. Cl. A61f 9/02 US. Cl. 2-14 N 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A double lens goggle, having a frame for conforming to the face of the user, has a sealed, double lens assembly including one lens with a lateral, peripheral flange having a circumferential groove into which the second lens is mounted, and the flange provides means for securing the lens assembly to the frame. A vent system provides an air flow in the air space in contact with the users eyes.

Outdoor sports activity in the cold weather usually requires the use of some sort of eye protection. Goggles, face shields and the like are commonly used in those sports involving considerable speed, for example, skiing, snowmobiling, tobogganing, and the like. Physical activity by a participant in the sport heats up his body and face, and when goggles are used as eye covering, fogging of the lens of the goggle is likely to occur, due to heated air inside and the outside of the lens is in contact with the ambient temperature which may be quite low. In such sports, it is desirable to have a tight fit of the goggle frame to the face to keep snow and water out of the participants eyes. A tight fitting airtight goggle, however, confines the air around the eyes and in a short time the goggles may fog. Venting the air space surrounding the eyes, behind the users goggles, does not always prevent fogging since activity of the wearer increases perspiration, raising the humidity and temperature of the air trapped behind the goggles. When the humid air contacts the cold lens, fogging occurs.

According to the present invention there is provided a double lens goggle in which the atmosphere between the two lenses is sealed and dry. By providing dry gas between the lenses, the inner of one of the double lenses is insulated from the cold thereby reducing fogging. The air space behind the double lenses, however, is well vented keeping a constant change of air therein and reducing the humidity of the air around the users eyes. Accordingly, it is among the objects and advantages of the present invention to provide a sportsmans goggle having a double lens assembly with a sealed air space between the lenses.

Another object to the invention is to provide a double lens assembly for goggles in which a single holding means is utilized for the double lens assembly.

A further object of the invention is to provide a simplified method of manufacture of a double lens goggle in which an inner lens merely snaps in a peripheral groove in a flange on the outer lens, however, providing an easy sealing means for securing the two lenses together.

These and other'objects and advantages of the invention may be readily ascertained by referring to the following description and appended illustrations in which:

3,718,937 Patented Mar. 6, 1973 FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a goggle assembly according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the frame for the goggle assembly, shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view, in section, of an assembly of the frame and lens of FIG. 1, taken along section line 3-3 of the frame;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional, side elevational view of an assembly of the lens and frame taken along the section line 4-4 of the frame of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of a goggle assembly, according to the invention, taken along section line 6-6 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the double lens assembly of FIG. 1 taken along section line 6-6;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of a lens lock tab which is mounted on the frame for securing the lens thereto; and

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the lock tab of FIG. 7.

In the goggle selected for illustration, a peripheral frame, shown in general by numeral 10, includes a generally straight brow piece 12, which is laterally curved for fitting the brow or forehead of the user. A lens holding frame member 14 on one side and a lens holding frame 16 on the opposite side joined to the ends of the brow piece and to a nose piece 18.. A pair of upstanding flanges 20' and 22 are mounted on the brow portion, with one above each lens holding portion. A series of triangular shaped passages 24 extend through the upstanding flange 20, and a similar set of passages 25 extend through the upstanding flange 22. Both sets of passages terminate on the back part of the flanges. As shown in FIG. 4, the flange 22 is upstanding and includes a top piece 22a which extends curvilinearly rearwardly of the top of the flange covering openings 27 through the brow piece under the flange 22, and openings 28 through the brow piece under the flange 20. A series of openings 30 provide an air passage through the frame lens holding portion 14, and openings 31 provide air passages through the frame lens holding portion 16. These provide fresh air into the air space behind the lens.

A peripheral groove 33 extends completely around the inside of the goggle frame in position to accept a holding flange formed on the lens assembly. A pair of ears 35 and 36 on the sides of the frame are slotted for receiving a strap 38, holding the frame on the head of the user. The inside edge of the goggle frame for contacting the user is provided with a flattened, peripheral bearing surface 39 extending completely around the lens holding portions 14 and 1'6 and across the brow 12, and terminating into a narrower area 40 on the nose portion 18. This provides good bearing around the face portion of the user where it is desired to seal the frame to the face. The bearing surface 39 is preferably a soft surface to prevent injury to the face of the user. Further, the frame is preferably a soft resilient plastic which is capable of retaining its flexibility and softness even in quite cold weather. The flexible material permits the frame to bend and adapt to the face of the user thereby providing a good seal of the area 39' against the face.

The lens assembly shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, includes a lens portion which is generally planar in a vertical sense, but is curved at thereto to accommodate the curve of the human face. An integral, peripheral flange 52 extending completely around the lens 50, extends rearwardly thereof at about 90 to the lens. The flange 52 terminates in an end portion 54 which is constructed to remain inside the width of the goggle frame when the lens assembly is mounted in the goggle frame. A peripheral groove 55 is formed in the flange 52, with the grooved portion facing inwardly of the flange 52. A second lens 56, of the same general shape of the outer lens 50, snaps into the groove 55 and is retained therein. Both lenses are made of an essentially rigid somewhat flexible synthetic resin or plastic which is optically clear. The plastic is of the type commonly used for goggles and is rigid enough to support itself in a desired shape, but flexible enough to be bent into long radius curves. The inner lens is thus easily bent to fit into the groove 55. Once in place, the inner lens 56 may be cemented to the outer lens 50 by applying a cement or a solvent for the plastic into and adjacent the groove 55. In some instances, it may be desirable to heat the groove 55 so that it heat seals against the lens 56. Also, when the assembly is performed in a controlled atmosphere environment, a dry gas of any desired composition may be sealed in the space between the two lenses. For example, the assembly may be accomplished in a closed glove box filled with an atmosphere which is desired between the two lenses. The assembly is completed in the glove box, and the assembly is withdrawn and the outer lens may be sealed to the inner lens in any convenient manner.

The exterior flange portion of groove 55 seats in the groove 33 in the frame forming a seal. A plurality of undercut notches 60 in the flange portion 54 provide lock members for the frame. The undercut notches being apertures in the flange with a throat smaller than the notch. A series of small projections or tabs 62, shown in FIG. 4, on the top and bottom inside of the frame provide holding means for the lens, when the notches 60 are passed around the projections. A plurality of such notches on the bottom flange of lens assembly with corresponding projection may be used to secure the lens in the frame where desired particularly for hard use. A series of five or so notches and projections provide a simple and very effective means of securing the lens in the frame against accidental release.

To protect the outer lens 50 from scratching, a pair of projections 63 and 64 are mounted on the exterior of the lens at about the nose portion of the lens. These projections extend beyond the surface of the lens 50 and prevent the lens from touching a surface on which the goggles or lens are resting. Additional protection may be provided for the lens, by forming a small ridge 68 around the lens at the bend between the lens and the flange 52. In most cases, however, the goggles being balanced will rest on about the nose portion and the projections 63 and 64 are all that are necessary to prevent the lens 50 from touching the surface on which the goggles are resting. The projections 63 and 64 may be molded onto the lens or they may be subsequently secured by cementing or otherwise securing small pieces of plastic to the lens itself.

The outer lens is formed by injection molding, casting, blow molding from sheet stock, or the like, forming the lens portion 50 and the flange portion 52. The groove 55 may be formed subsequently. The inner lens 56 may be formed in a similar manner or merely cut from sheet stock of optical plastic. The inner lens is snapped into position in the groove 55, and as explained above with a controlled atmosphere between the two lenses the lens 56 may be sealed in position with the outer lens. The lens assembly is then mounted in the frame assembly by placing the lens in the frame with the peripheral projection 55 in the groove 33 of the frame. The projections 62 on the frame are forced into the notches 60 securing the frame on the lens assembly. When so assembled the goggles are ready for use.

Where desired, the inner lens may be deleted and the outer lens used alone.

The lens lock includes a tab 70, FIGS. 7 and 8, of the same general shape as the aperture 60 on the lens, to provide a firm grip for the lens when the lens is pushed over the tab. The interlocking prevents lateral movement of the lens. A hat or top 72 on the tab extends on both sides of the tab and prevents axial movement of the lens along the tab. This arrangement securely locks the lens in the frame. With from 5 to 7 tabs with corresponding notches in the lens flange, the lens is secured against accidental removal.

When placed on the face of the user, the goggles provide an air space adjacent the eyes of the user, and this air space is vented by means of the upper and lower vents. As described in my US. Pat. No. 3,395,406, issued Aug. 6, 1968 a venturi effect is created by air flowing through the passages in the flange over the openings in the frame behind the flange. Thus, the openings 24 provide a direct flow of air across the openings in the upper frame forming the venturi action, drawing air from the space behind the double lens, and the lower passages provide an entrance for fresh air into the space. Thus, in use, the air behind the double lens is continuously changed maintaining a lower humidity in the space. The double lens assembly provides insulation for the inner lens 56, which is, therefore, not in contact with the cold outside air and no fogging occurs even under extreme conditions of use. With dry air sealed between the two lenses fogging between the lenses is prevented.

The double lens assembly may be made of colored plastic to provide colored lenses, or they may be made with the color changing lenses which are conventional for winter sports. Where it is desired to have a prescription lens, a plastic prescription lens made specifically for a user may be formed to fit in an aperture in the inner lens 56, in accordance with my Pat. No. 3,395,406, above identified.

I claim:

1. A sports goggle comprising a curved frame for seating on the face, having a nose piece, and encircling both eyes of the user; a curved double lens assembly mounted in said frame; said double lens assembly including an outer, vertically straight and horizontally curved lens of flexible, resilient plastic spanning the distance between and beyond both eyes and across a nose piece of said frame, an integral peripheral flange depending inwardly from said outer lens at about to the plane of said outer lens in one direction, there being a peripheral groove in said flange with the groove opening into the interior of said flange, and a second curved lens fitting in said groove spaced approximately parallel to said first lens and forming a closed volume between said lenses; means cooperative bet-ween said peripheral flange and said frame for mounting said lens assembly in said frame; means for holding said goggle on the head of a user; and venting means for the volume between said lens assembly and the users face.

2. A sports goggle according to claim 1 wherein said peripheral groove is formed by displacing material out of the plane of said flange so that said displaced material forms a peripheral ridge on said flange on the side opposite of said groove and said means cooperative between said peripheral flange and said frame includes a groove in said frame arranged to accomodate said ridge forming a seal therebetween.

3. A sports goggle according to claim 1 wherein said inner lens is sealed in said groove, forming an air tight chamber therebetween.

4. A sports goggle according to claim 3 wherein said air tight chamber is filled with a dry gas and is sealed therein.

5. A method of producing a double lens assembly comprising forming a generally vertically flat and horizontally curved outer lens of a shape and size to cover both eyes of a user including a nose bridge connector; forming a depending peripheral flange from the edge of said outer lens extending inwardly in one direction and about 90 from the plane of said outer lens; forming an inwardly facing groove in said flange; forming a generally vertically straight and horizontally curved inner lens of a shape so that its edge seats in said groove and said inner lens is approximately parallel to said outer lens; and positioning said inner lens in said groove, providing a closed chamber between said lenses.

6. A method according to claim 5 being further characterized by cementing said inner lens in said groove forming an air tight chamber between said lenses.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,395,406 8/1968 Smith 214 N 2,388,205 10/1945 Bernheim et al. 2-l4 D 2,058,703 10/1936 Malivert 2-14 H X 3,027,561 4/1963 Senne 2-14 K FOREIGN PATENTS 1,021,466 3/1966 Great Britain 2--14 R 1,010,573 11/1965 Great Britain 2-14 N 524,064 7/1940 Great Britain 2--14 K H. HAMPTON HUNTER, Primary Examiner 

